Managing Partner Clay Maitland marked two extraordinary milestones this spring; his 50th anniversary with International Registries, Inc. (IRI) and its predecessor company, and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Marine Society of the City of New York.
Leaders from across the maritime community gathered in New York City on 19 March 2026 for the 256th Marine Society of the City of New York Annual Dinner. The evening served as a tribute to Clay’s enduring influence on maritime law, international ship registries, and ship finance. Also honored at the event were Dr. James S. C. Chao and The Honorable Elaine Chao, who received the Distinguished Service to the Maritime Industry Award; Captain Thomas Sullivan (Ret.), who received the Mariner Legacy Award, and guest speaker Captain William Barrere, president, American Maritime Officers. IRI senior leaders including President Bill Gallagher, Captain Bob Fay, John Gallagher, Nick Makar, and Laura Sherman were joined by several other team members in celebrating the honorees.
Clay began his legal career at the admiralty firm Burlingham, Underwood & Lord, where he was first introduced to maritime law while representing shipping clients. On 1 March 1976, he joined IRI’s predecessor company. With increasing responsibility for registry operations, legal development, and international engagement, Clay’s tenure coincided with significant political, economic, and technological change within the global maritime sector.
Throughout this period of transformation, Clay contributed to some of the most consequential maritime legal frameworks and architectures of the modern era including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and United Nations International Convention on Ship Mortgages and Maritime Liens. Clay also served on the Legal Committee of the International Maritime Organization and Maritime Transport Committee of the Business and Industry Advisory Committee (BIAC) to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
In recognition of his impact on the industry, Clay was inducted into the Maritime Hall of Fame in 1999 and received the Distinguished Public Service Medal of the United States Coast Guard in 2010. A co-founder of the Virginia Maitland Sachs Foundation, Clay continues to drive the industry forward as a steward for the next generation of maritime leaders.
The Lifetime Achievement Award and Clay’s golden anniversary mark more than milestones for Clay. Together they represent more than six decades of leadership and service to shaping the maritime industry.
IRI proudly congratulates Clay on this remarkable award and on 50 years of dedicated service. His leadership and vision have left an indelible mark on our industry and will continue to inspire and guide the future of maritime commerce.
A list of Clay’s outstanding accomplishments and industry activities is available here.
